Star Trek: Myriad Universes: Echoes and Refractions

Book review
Written by Keith R A DeCandido, Chris Roberson, Geoff Trowbridge
Pocket Books paperback
Release date Out now

In a second volume of ‘What If’ tales, we revisit the Yesteryear timeline where Spock died as a child; Terok Nor was never handed over to the Federation; and Dr Soong's androids get everywhere...

Another trilogy of short novels starts with the only alternate timeline taken from the show itself. Geoff Trowbridge rewrites the events of Star Trek II-VI with Spock taken out of the equation, and the Andorian Thelin in his place. This means a dramatic new end to the battle with Khan, and a very different fate for Kirk's son David, before the probe arrives looking for whale song in Trek IV. Trowbridge's twists aren't immediately obvious and make for a strong start to the volume.

Keith DeCandido's version of Deep Space Nine, without Deep Space Nine itself, is relentlessly downbeat, with even normally optimistic characters forced into decisions that they would much prefer not to make. It's a tribute to DeCandido that the various captains’ (and others’) decisions seem perfectly within character, even as the galaxy falls apart around them. Recommended, albeit depressing.

Chris Roberson is a newcomer to Trek fiction, and posits a world where Data's creator's machines are found throughout the Federation. There are some good moments in this, but, as is pointed out by Captain Picard, the androids' plan does bear a strong resemblance to a plot foiled a century earlier by Captain James T Kirk. The story might also have benefited from Will Riker's presence. Still enjoyable, but not quite at the same level as its companions. Peter Quentin

VERDICT: 7/10
A worthy experiment. Let's hope for further Myriad Universe tales soon.